93. Warning (5)
Meanwhile, Lucia, inside the carriage, gazed out the window.
As the carriage moved, she watched the shrinking silhouette of Count Celid, finally letting out a long breath.
“Like a person without morals…”
Lucia cursed Edward under her breath.
“You’re really doing something absurd.”
She fidgeted with her earring, as if implying disbelief.
The earring made of dark red spirit stone still hung elegantly from her ear.
The necklace also stayed in place.
“I thought maybe you dabbled in dark magic, but even so, I never imagined you could use hypnosis or suggestive magic.”
Dark magic now remained like an ancient relic.
They refrained from visible activities nowadays.
The spirit stone was a relic of ancient history.
Since the spirits no longer lived in this world.
One thing was certain, the relationship between spirits and demons was not amicable.
Hence, the power of spirits was opposite to dark magic.
The spirit stone provided significant defense against dark magic, acting as a medium that condensed the power of spirits.
“It’s fortunate I wore the jewelry crafted with spirit stones out of caution.”
Otherwise, she would have been in trouble.
“I need to revise my plan.”
Lucia had originally planned to pretend to be affected by dark magic and then use Edward’s actions as evidence.
For instance, if he invited her to the mansion or informed her of his business through a letter, she would have utilized that.
However, Edward was more cautious than she had envisioned, and without going to the location herself, she had no tangible evidence.
“He might go alone to an unknown place.”
She could not go completely alone to an unfamiliar place.
What would happen afterward would be entirely her responsibility.
Since she had been covertly summoned, it was an illegal place, and it was difficult to anticipate what would happen there.
One thing was certain, it wouldn’t be a pleasant or good outcome.
“I should ignore it.”
Lucia casually concluded.
There was no need to suffer while seeking revenge.
Even if she returned and begged, she would soon be engaged.
Although she seemed to want to turn his heart using dark magic, unfortunately, her trickery did not work.
So now, there was nothing left for what Celid Yeongsik could do.
“I must inform Owen when he returns.”
But unlike that Celid Yeongsik, this side had a very advantageous situation.
Count Celid Yeongsik was someone who had too much to lose and too many weaknesses.
If she informed Owen about this incident and borrowed his power, Edward would quickly fall into ruin.
Moreover, with the power of Duke Edelt added, the outcome would be even more certain.
Touching Duke Edelt would be like touching the apple of someone’s eye.
“Oh, this will be interesting. I can properly seek revenge for daring to touch my people.”
Thinking about it, such a situation didn’t seem so bad.
It was rather enjoyable.
It was quite pleasant to retaliate against those who dared to dream of possessing me.
“I should go back and see Father.”
Lucia smiled slyly.
It would take some time for Owen to return, so she planned to move against Duke Edelt first.
***
It wasn’t until exactly a week, as Bella had foretold, that Owen could leave the Taylor Viscount’s estate.
I had explored every possible method, but waiting until the snow stopped was the best course of action.
Even when the snow ceased, moving through the depth of the snow up to the thighs was not easy.
Nevertheless, Owen returned alone, leaving only his words behind.
While others waited for the snow to melt somewhat before proceeding, he ventured ahead on his own.
Bella did not insist on keeping Owen.
There was no reason or purpose to detain him.
Her attitude made Owen even more uneasy.
In hunting competitions and even in wars, Owen’s black horse raced swiftly over the snow-covered ground.
Despite the difficulty of advancing through the deep snowdrifts, the horse, with its large build, height, and immense strength, moved forward steadily without trouble.
Under normal circumstances, it would have been slower, but running at this speed in such harsh conditions was a miracle in itself.
Hurrying back to the capital, Owen bypassed the Verdin Marquisate and headed straight for the Edelte Manor.
“Owen!”
As Owen appeared riding his horse, the servants immediately informed Lucia.
Lucia, still dressed in her indoor attire of pale pink, headed down to the first floor.
The pale pink dress, whether her preference or indoor wear, had a somewhat extravagant touch to it.
“Back already?”
Lucia rushed down the stairs and ran into Owen’s arms as if in a hurry.
Owen let out a breath of relief in the warmth of her embrace.
It seemed that whatever he had been worried about hadn’t come to pass.
“Yeah.”
As he pulled Lucia closer with gloved hands, she raised her head from his chest.
“Were you worried?”
Owen’s face remained tense, breathing heavily, and the fact that he had rushed to the manor where she was indicated that he had some concerns.
Owen displayed a deep sense of worry and concern for Lucia.
From the moment she called him, it had been slowly fading away, but it was evident.
“A little.”
Owen nodded in response to Lucia’s question without denying it.
As he affirmed, Lucia placed her hand on Owen’s cheek.
Gently stroking his white cheek, Owen leaned into her touch.
“Why were you worried? There couldn’t have been any rumors spreading that far.”
“…Rumors?”
Owen’s voice, leaning against Lucia’s hand, instantly sank.
It was due to the ominous tone hidden in the word “rumors.”
“Yeah. Something happened while you were away.”
“What happened?”
A sense of foreboding crept into his black eyes.
Lucia met his gaze and continued.
“Viscount Selyd Youngsik played a prank.”
“…”
His heart seemed to drop to the ground.
Owen remained silent, waiting for Lucia to elaborate.
“At first, he threatened me with Marie’s life to invite me to a gathering, then he tried to use black magic there.”
Lucia spoke lightly, as if there was nothing to hide.
“Viscount Selyd Youngsik has various rumors circulating about him… I’ve seen some myself. So, I carried jewelry made of spirit stones. Spirit stones nullify black magic.”
“…So, what you’re saying is…”
“I almost fell for it.”
As if it was nothing, Lucia casually mentioned it.
She knew that Edward might be capable of using black magic, and she thought it was all in the past.
The gathering had taken place a few days ago, and she had informed the Edelte Marquis about that day’s events.
As a result, the Marquis was furious.
How dare a mere viscount, not even a lord, meddle with Edelte.
Viscount Selyd was facing retribution from the Edelte Marquis for various other reasons.
Both in business and politics.
At the same time, he was gathering evidence to punish Edward.
So, Lucia had nothing to worry about.
The situation was being calmly handled.
But Owen couldn’t help but feel differently.
“…I was careless.”
Owen bit his lower lip and exhaled.
It was a voice filled with regret, as if he had made a mistake and misjudged.
“I should have been more cautious. If I had known he was that kind of person, I would have been more…”
Edward suspected that Lord Cyril Yeongsik was that kind of person, and Lucia had also heard about it.
After investigating for himself, he knew well what kind of person he was.
But why didn’t he immediately think that he would harm Lucia?
Perhaps he had been mistaken even though he knew.
He mistakenly thought that just because he knew, he would cherish and value the one he professed his love to, saying he would protect them, saying he loved them.
Owen’s love was like that.
Cherishing, valuing, being able to do anything, that was his love.
He recklessly mistook that there was no such thing as a dark, hard-to-call love.
“Are you really okay?”
If Lucia had not suspected.
If she hadn’t thought of the spirit stone.
If so, everything might have gone as Edward intended.
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Lucia would have forgotten Owen, fallen into brainwashing and implications, and would have had false memories and thoughts.
And in ignorance, she would have lived not as Lucia.
“Are you hurt? Or was it difficult for you at that time?”
Owen held Lucia, pushing away the ominous thoughts that came to his mind.
Everything was his fault and mistake, but it couldn’t be undone.
So he had to do what he could now.
“I’m fine.”
As Owen apologized, struggled, and suffered, Lucia was honestly a bit surprised.
She was taken aback.
Perhaps she didn’t expect Owen to react this way.
Lucia thought Owen would get angry.
She only thought Lord Cyril Yeongsik would be angry about what he had done, and that he would pay for his sins.
After all, it was clearly Edward who had made the mistake in this matter.
Lucia was merely a victim, and Owen was not at fault in this matter.
He was just swept along.
But feeling sorry for not paying more attention, blaming himself, and struggling on behalf of what Lucia had gone through…
“Nothing happened. I told you. I was fine thanks to the spirit stone.”
Owen was indeed a kind person.
Lucia had never experienced such kindness before.
She whispered softly to Owen as she hugged his neck, then took his hand and led him.
“Don’t worry, come this way. It feels like we just got back, let’s sit and rest for a bit.”
Owen obediently followed her.
The two headed to the parlor together.
Lucia had Owen sit down and instructed a maid to bring tea and snacks.
She also had him remove his cloak and outerwear suitable for the cold winter weather.
Although the shirt he wore underneath seemed thick for winter, it was still better than having all the cloak and outerwear on for winter conquest.
“Owen.”
As the maid entered with the tea and snacks, Lucia offered the tea to Owen.
Owen took the teacup Lucia handed him.
After taking a few sips of the warm tea and setting it down, Lucia spoke.
The maid who had brought the snacks had already left the parlor.
“There’s no need to worry about me. Of course, you couldn’t help but worry, but I’m really fine.”
As she explained slowly, Owen nodded slowly, his effort seeming quite artificial.
“But I do wish you would help. I did mention it to Father, but with your help, things would be much easier.”
Lucia smiled and patted Owen’s hand.
Then she carefully voiced her request.
“I wish you could gather evidence of Lord Cyril Yeongsik’s illegal activities. It would be great if you could also gather evidence related to dark magic. I want to completely ruin him.”